RUGBY UNION BEN McCalman has the goal of playing for the NSW Waratahs within the next four years as he contemplates his future in rugby union after finishing school. The Kinross graduate thinks it is a realistic goal and he will make the first step towards that when he joins the Waratahs Academy training squad in the new year. "You'd look at probably the Waratahs in the next four years, three or four years," McCalman said. "Next year I'll focus on footy. Training 14 or 15 hours a week, it will be pretty hard to really study and try and do that so I'll just do that for a year and add up whether it is worth it taking it that serious." The 18-year old will link up with the Sydney University colts team next year on top of the Waratahs Academy and thinks setting and achieving small goals will see him earn a sky blue jumper. The number eight hopes to represent Australia in the under 19 World Cup being held in Northern Ireland in April next year. McCalman was an Australian Schoolboys representative this year and thinks that has him in a good position to win a spot in the junior World Cup squad. "There's under 19s next year for the World Cup, and that's the next aim," McCalman said. "It's small steps. Playing for Sydney Uni, hopefully I just play colts (next) year and build up to hopefully grade eventually and 19s is another step." The first trials for the under 19 side are scheduled for late January.

Ben's path towards a Waratahs jumper

WARATAHS AWAIT: Former Kinross student Ben McCalman will take his first step towards his dream of playing for the NSW Waratahs when he joins the Waratahs Academy training squad in January.

RUGBY UNION

BEN McCalman has the goal of playing for the NSW Waratahs within the next four years as he contemplates his future in rugby union after finishing school.

The Kinross graduate thinks it is a realistic goal and he will make the first step towards that when he joins the Waratahs Academy training squad in the new year.

"You'd look at probably the Waratahs in the next four years, three or four years," McCalman said.

"Next year I'll focus on footy. Training 14 or 15 hours a week, it will be pretty hard to really study and try and do that so I'll just do that for a year and add up whether it is worth it taking it that serious."

The 18-year old will link up with the Sydney University colts team next year on top of the Waratahs Academy and thinks setting and achieving small goals will see him earn a sky blue jumper.

The number eight hopes to represent Australia in the under 19 World Cup being held in Northern Ireland in April next year.

McCalman was an Australian Schoolboys representative this year and thinks that has him in a good position to win a spot in the junior World Cup squad.

"There's under 19s next year for the World Cup, and that's the next aim," McCalman said.

"It's small steps. Playing for Sydney Uni, hopefully I just play colts (next) year and build up to hopefully grade eventually and 19s is another step."

The first trials for the under 19 side are scheduled for late January.